Process for generating computer flight plans on the internet

ABSTRACT

A process of providing an aviation navigation chart over a computer network includes receiving a request by a server computer from a client computer. The client computer is in communication with the server computer via the computer network. The request is received over the computer network. The request includes an indication of a departure point and a destination point selected by a user of the client computer. The process also includes generating, at the server computer, a composite travel navigation chart in response to the request. The composite travel navigation chart includes a travel chart image with the departure point and the destination point and a route line extending between the departure point and the destination point. Furthermore, the process includes delivering the composite travel navigation chart from the server computer to the client computer for display by the client computer.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/615,265, filed Nov. 10, 2009, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/243,290, filed Sep. 28, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.7,640,098, issued Dec. 29, 2009, which is a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/919,672, filed Jul. 31, 2001, and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of aviation software, andmore particularly to a process for generating computer flight plans onthe Internet. However, as will become obvious later, additionalapplications of this invention may also include the field ofcartography, route planning for motor vehicles, marine vehicles andsimilar utilization. The present invention relates to a topographicalterrain, aviation navigation, routing, obstruction and weather flightplanning system that provides information for preflight use by pilots.In particular, the invention uses a topographical database, an aviationnavigation database, an obstruction database, a weather database, anairplane specific database, and an air traffic route database to displaya flight path over a given path while combining weather data (e.g. wind,temperature and clouds), aviation charts (e.g. special use airspace,airways, and navigational facilities, along with visibilities andceilings), and predicted aircraft performance data (e.g. range, speedand climb rate) to permit increased operational awareness by the pilotand enhance display of possible hazardous situations.

Pilots have long required assistance in making decisions whether or notto fly in given weather conditions, in a particular type of aircraft andover a given terrain. This required the pilot to make a judgment as togo or not to go. If the pilot chooses to go, he/or she must then decidethe safety of flying to a given destination airport or along apre-planned route. Currently, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA,National Weather Service (NWS)) and other government agencies aid pilotsby providing weather data including wind direction and speed, weatherconditions such as precipitation and other pertinent data. Often thisinformation is in an obscure configuration and is strenuous forbeginning pilots to comprehend. This information must then be brought tobear in the context of an abundance of regulations and aircraftperformance parameters, making this an overwhelming task. Furthermore,experienced pilots still often find the information cryptic to retrieveand have difficulty grasping specific data relevant to their flight fromthe large amount of data obtainable. Compounding the situation further,commercial operators in their unique operations have their ownsupplementing FARs (e.g. Federal Aviation Regulations). These FARs mustbe recognized and followed by their pilots.

Some coarse graphic computer flight planning was first made commerciallyavailable in 1989. However, these products relied on a softwareinstallation on the user's computer. In contrast, this invention relieson the Internet, also referred to as the Internet. The Internet has seenrapid growth in the number of applications and as a result, in thenumber of users. Since the Internet allows most any computer with acompatible web browser access to a web site from virtually any Internetconnection, it is possible to create an Internet web site which providesflight planning capability.

In this invention, all flight planning elements such as aircraftperformance, topography, navigation, obstruction, road and geopoliticaldata are stored on the host Internet Server (host computer which createsthe web pages served to the Client). As a result, the Client computer(remote user computer connected to the Internet) needs only modestmemory and storage capability. Furthermore, virtually all flightplanning computation and chart creation are executed by the Server, as aresult, the Client computer does not require exceptional computing speedor advanced graphic computational capability. However, the Clientcomputer must still provide an Internet browser of sufficientcompatibility to accept the web pages provided by the Server.

When flight planning, be it by using a computer, or by using traditionalpaper and pencil, current, up-to-date data are crucial. This requiresthe pilot preparing the flight plan to ensure that the latest data isavailable. Since it is possible to inadvertently use out-of-date data,such as out-of-date computer disks or charts; errors may be introducedinto the flight plan. This invention relies on the Internet. The Clientcomputer is connected to the Internet, which in turn, is connected tothe Server. Since the burden of data currency is now shifted to theServer, the Client computer is, therefore, not required to storenavigation data as it would be in traditional computer flight planningsoftware. As a result, the likelihood of using out-of-date data isgreatly reduced with this invention.

Also, since this invention allows for remote data entry by a clientcomputer and editing of navigation and other important flight planningdata, keeping the data current is more efficient and timely.Furthermore, as features of this invention are added or improved, theybecome immediately available to the client computer connected to theInternet.

Some flight planning systems were developed to automate the delivery offlight planning route and weather to pilots. For example, U.S. Pat. No.6,99,008 describes a system that included some flight planning functionsuch as a terrain, route, navigation and a weather data base. However,this system executes the data processing, chart generation and flightplanning computation on the client computer and, except for weatherdelivery data, is not connected to the Internet. The system receivesweather information from a plurality of weather reporting organizationsincluding the NWS, FAA (e.g. National Weather Service and FederalAviation Administration) and others. The system then computes flightplan information for preflight and in-flight use.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,895 describes a virtual reality imaging system. Thesystem provides pilots with a depiction of all the multidimensionalspace encompassing an airport. This may includes weather, air trafficand spatial relationships of the aircraft with respect to the airportand the ground level. The prime implementation of this system is not,however, through the use of the Internet. Since the technology andsoftware languages between traditional application software and Internetimplementation are very different, it would not be practical to convertan existing application to run on the Internet. The current computerflight planners consist of Destination Direct by Delta Technology,FliteSoft by RMS Technology, and FliteStar by Jeppesen Sanderson Inc. Apatent search does not reveal patents on either product. These productscreate flight plans much the same as cited in this invention. Whilethese two products allow connection to the Internet for weather dataextraction, all flight planning computations and chart generation isaccomplished autonomously on the client computer. Furthermore, since thetechnology and software languages between traditional applicationsoftware and Internet implementation are very different, it would not bepractical to convert an existing application to run on the Internet.There are a number of Internet flight planners, namely: DTC WATS andAOPA online, which provide rudimentary flight planning functions. Theseare, however, for the most part, only text based.

The limitations of the prior art existing computer flight planners fallinto two classes—autonomous (a system running the application softwareand computing the flight plan on a stand-alone computer not connected tothe Internet) and flight planners connected to the Internet. The primarydeficiency of autonomous applications are as follows: 1) They need apowerful and fast computer with large hard disk magnetic memory capacityand extensive RAM (Random Access Memory) capability. 2) They need toconstantly update the applications software and data on a regular basis.3) They can only run on a limited number of computers since the softwaremust be installed. 4) As a result, they are limited in their performanceand are expensive to keep current.

The primary deficiency of existing Internet flight planners of the priorart is that they: 1) For the most part provide only text output fortheir flight plans. 2) If graphics charts are displayed they do notincrementally scroll. 3) The data provided is of limited detail becauseof deficient compression and chart generation capability. 4) Routes,waypoints, and weather data can not be overlaid or interactivelymanipulated over the navigation charts.

PRIOR ART

-   Current U.S. Classification: 701/120-   Field of Search: 701/120/14 707/101,104

U.S. Patent Documents 4,347,618 August, 1982 Kavouras et al. 375/37.4,521,857 June, 1985 Reynolds, III 364/439. 4,807,158 February, 1989Blanton et al. 364/521. 4,827,419 May, 1989 Selby, III 364/443.5,111,400 May, 1992 Yoder 364/424. 5,265,025 November, 1993 Crabill etal. 364/443. 5,343,395 August, 1994 Watts 364/428. 5,363,107 November,1994 Gertz et al. 342/26. 5,369,589 November, 1994 Steiner 364/449.5,379,215 January, 1995 Kruhoeffer et al. 364/420. 5,390,237 February,1995 Hoffman, Jr. et al. 379/67. 5,432,895 July, 1995 Myers 395/119.5,490,239 February, 1996 Myers 395/129. 5,517,193 May, 1996 Allison etal. 342/26. 5,548,515 August, 1996 Pilley et al. 364/439. 5,568,385October, 1996 Shelton 364/420. 5,583,972 December, 1996 Miller 395/119.5,675,746 October, 1997 Marshall 395/235. 5,717,589 February, 1998Thompson et al. 364/420 6,021,374 February, 2000 Wood 701/301 6,199,008March, 2001 Aratow, et al. 701/120

REFERENCES CITED

-   Destination Direct Flight Planning www.flightplan.com-   Jeppesen Sanderson www.jeppesen.com-   DTC DUATS www.duats.com-   AOPA www.apoa.org-   RMS Technology Inc. www.rmstek.com-   Free Flight, moving map for pilots;-   GTI Electronics Web Page; http://gtielect.ptd.net/index.html, Mar.    9, 1998.-   “National Weather Service METAR/TAF Information”, METAR/TAF    Overview, Jul. 1, 1996;    Http://www.nws.noaa.gov/oso1/oso12/overview.htm.

SUMMARY

A process of providing an aviation navigation chart over a computernetwork is disclosed. The process includes receiving a request by aserver computer from a client computer. The client computer is incommunication with the server computer via the computer network. Therequest is received over the computer network. The request includes anindication of a departure point and a destination point selected by auser of the client computer. The process also includes generating, atthe server computer, a composite travel navigation chart in response tothe request. The composite travel navigation chart includes a travelchart image with the departure point and the destination point and aroute line extending between the departure point and the destinationpoint. Furthermore, the process includes delivering the composite travelnavigation chart from the server computer to the client computer fordisplay by the client computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of the operations that comprise the Server.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the operations that comprise chart creation.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the Chart retrieval, Scrolling, and RoutingSystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A detailed description of the preferred embodiment is provided herein.It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may beembodied in various forms. These forms may include, but are not limitedto, additional applications of this invention such as the utilization ofthe invention in the field of cartography, route planning for motorvehicles, marine vehicles and similar usage. Therefore, specific detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as abasis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching oneskilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

An important feature of the above described invention and, one skilledin the art will appreciate, is the fact that some significantlimitations imposed by the prior art are effectively eliminated. Priorart being namely existing flight planners running autonomousapplications (e.g. application which operate independent of a Servercomputer, and which normally have the application software andunderlying data residing on the computer) on personal computers andInternet based flight planning systems running on a Client computer.While autonomous applications are usually dynamic and interactive, theirdata is always dated and their performance is limited by the computer'smemory constrains and computational capability. The constraint of theexisting Internet flight planning systems are numerous: Usually they arecharacterized by their inability of emulating autonomous applications inthat they are static and usually provide only little, if any,interactive chart manipulation. These two limitations will becomeobvious as a detailed description of this invention unfolds. Most allflight planners require some basic elements to be a useful product suchas:

-   1. A raw X, Y, and Z (latitude, longitude and elevation) database of    chart, navigation data, obstruction and topographical data;-   2. a system of creating VFR and IFR charts from the raw database,    for n number of chart magnifications comprising a given geographical    area;-   3. a data base containing aircraft performance data, usually in the    form of cruise speed, useful load, climb capability, fuel capacity    and so forth;-   4. a means of delivering the application to the Client computer.    This can either be a CD ROM or an Internet web site accessible by a    Client computer;-   5. a software system which computes flight plans requested, and    which allows for outputting flight plans by means of either the    resident application software or by mean of the Internet Server to    the Client computer if Internet based;-   6. and a means of updating and or editing the chart navigation and    aircraft data by means of a software system which resides either on    the resident application software or a method by means of a software    system whereby the data is edited on the Client computer and    uploaded to the Internet Server computer if Internet based.

Of significance, and most likely the most important element in flightplanning, are the planning charts. These charts are used by the pilot toascertain route choices given such factors as terrain, distances,weather, navigation aids and so forth. These charts exhibit threedistinct characteristics. Namely: VFR (Visual Flight Rules), IFR(Instrument Flight Rules) and Road charts. VFR charts containtopographical features which are color coded and relief chart shadedaccording to terrain elevation. VFR charts also contain a number ofsignificant features. These features usually include airport data withrunway depiction and communication frequencies, major roads, obstructiondata, some navigation aids such as VORs (Very High Frequency OmniDirectional Radio), and NDBs (Non Directional Beacon). Non aviation datamay be included as well, such as geopolitical boundaries, businessfeatures such as cities towns, railroads, mines, drive-ins, ranches,waterways and lakes. These chart features aid the pilot in planning hisflight under VFR conditions since these features, for the most part,provide visual references. IFR charts contain only limited topographicaldata such as major water features. However, IFR charts contain a host ofnavigation data such as airways (routes of flight usually defined byVORs and Intersections), Intersection (e.g. specific check points,usually along a route of flight), NDBs, ILS (Instrument Landing System)depiction, navigation frequencies, distance markers, minimum altitudesfor various segments and so forth. These chart features assist the pilotin planning his flight under IFR conditions since they provideinstrument references for the most part.

In this invention, the charts are not the traditional paper charts, butare charts generated electronically using a computer software system,this will become apparent further in this description. Also relevant tothis Invention is the fact that these charts can be created in a customfashion (e.g. only the desired chart data need be generated depending onthe magnification and or area covered). Each chart may be used by thepilot to best plan his or her flight. In accordance with an importantfeature of the present invention, a VFR chart created by this inventionmay be an arbitrary magnification or area, depending on the flightplanning needs contemplated. Of major significance is that the largestchart (e.g. in terms of file size) is one that comprises the most zoomedin level covering the largest geographical area. For example, a chartthat provides chart resolution of 30 arc seconds in 24 bit color,covering the entire world, would take approximately 2.7 Giga Bytes offile space. Given that this is but one of several chart magnificationsrequired, it is apparent that delivering these types of charts wouldpush the limit of current DVD capacity (4.7-17 GB) and exceed thecapability of a CD ROM (600 MB). Existing autonomous flight plannerssuch as FliteStar and FliteSoft address these constrains by creating therequired charts on an as needed basis. This approach however, takes atoll on the Client computer memory and computational speed requirements.

However, in this invention, the chart size limitation constrains areeliminated since the charts are pre-built and reside on the Servercomputer, and only the required chart area and magnification isdelivered to the Client computer using conventional and proven InternetWeb Browser and HTML technology. Since the size constrains areeliminated, charts may be created that exhibit much greater detail anddeliver features such as topographical shading which would beimpractical in the prior art.

FIG. 1 Illustrates an Internet server (1), which, according to anembodiment of the invention, is comprised of computer system (2). Thecomputer system includes an Internet connection (3), which serves theClient computer (4). The computer system (2) is controlled by a centralprocessor (CPU) (5). The CPU is connected to a BUS (6), which is furtherconnected to a memory system including a Random Access Memory (RAM) (7).A number of hard disk(s) memory (8), and a CD-ROM (CD Read Only Memory)(9) are also connected to the BUS. The hard drive memory is designed tostore programs (10), and data (11)) necessary for the invention by acomputer software program (10). The memory is further configured fordata processing and program execution by the CPU (5) according to acomputer software program (10). A number of interfaces, are provided forconnecting to a user interface either locally (12) or by means of anInternet connection (3). An other embodiment of this invention may allowfor a process wherein said elements include a local area networkconsisting of a Server and a number of local Client computers or anIntranet network which is connected by means other than wires such asinfrared or radio signals. However, in the preferred embodiment, theinvention is realized by the use of the following steps:

-   1. Turning now to FIG. 2, the charts are created in three distinct    steps. These step these are: 1) Create a Background image (e.g.    topographical, geopolitical, and water features), 2) overlay Navdata    (e.g. airport, navigation aids, airways, roads, towns, obstructions    etc.) and 3) add chart text labels. The first step is to create a    Background image (16), upon which additional features are overlaid.    This is accomplished by means of a Background Image Compiler    Software (15) which compiles a data base (14) containing    topographical data in the form of X, Y, and Z axis coordinates (e.g.    latitude, longitude and terrain elevation) and processes the    Background images which are color coded according to elevation. A    process also completed by the Background Image Compiler Software is    the generating relief chart shading according to elevation and    illumination. The Background image (16) is assigned a discrete color    corresponding to the terrain elevation. This discrete color closely    emulates the colors assigned to a U.S. Government Sectional    Aeronautical chart. Relief shading is added by selecting an    illumination source (e.g. a virtual sun) and decreasing the RGB (Red    Green Blue) values assigned to the topographical color by    pre-determined but equal amounts opposite the illumination source.    This, in effect, creates the illusion of a relief (e.g. three    dimensional) chart. By varying the angle from 0 to 360 degrees, any    hour of the day may be emulated. The elevation of the illumination    source is modeled by varying the length of the virtual shadow (e.g.    the higher the illumination angle, the shorter the shadow and the    lower the manifested relief effect). Although, for clarity, the    illumination angle is set purposely low to exaggerate the relief    effect. In the preferred embodiment the illumination angle is set at    the top of the display (north), although any angle is practical.    Since there is a limit on the amount of data a micro computer    (Server) can process effectively, each Background image is created    as a tile (e.g. a finite image are, a number of which comprise the    entire image).-   2. The next step processes the navigational data (18) to be overlaid    onto the Background image (16). The overlaid data is created by    means of a Navdata Image Compiler Software (19). This software    compiles a data base containing the Navigational data in the form of    X, Y, and Z axis coordinates and overlays this data onto the    Background image (16). In the preferred embodiment the Navdata is    Geo-referenced (e.g. the data is referenced to the absolute latitude    and longitude coordinates corresponding to the chart) and overlaid    onto the individual Background image tiles.-   3. The next step of creating a finished chart is to overlay the    chart feature descriptive text labels. This is accomplished by use    of a Text De-clutter Compiler software system (18) which processes    the raw text and other Textural Descriptive data (17) extracted from    the raw Topographical (14) and Navigation data (18) by the    Background Image Compiler Software (15) and Navdata Image Compiler    Software (19). The Text De-clutter Compiler Software processes the    Textural Descriptive data in such a way as not to overwrite one text    element with another. In the prior art, de-cluttering was achieved    by checking for text collision. However, in these prior art    implementations, no process was put in place to move the colliding    text to a non-colliding area on the chart. However, in this    invention, the Text De-clutter Compiler Software moves text labels    to a no-collision area on the chart. In the preferred embodiment a    database comprising the feature and textural description is created    for the entire magnification level and geographical area. The text    labels are then checked to ensure that there are no collisions (text    overwriting other text). In the event of a collision, the colliding    text elements are repositioned in the X, Y coordinates and then    re-checked for collision. This process is repeated until no text    collisions occur. Text elements are given a priority, and the lowest    priority text, in the event of a collision, will not be drawn. Thus,    if there is insufficient room to display the text without text    collision, it is removed and not displayed.-   4. The Composite image (e.g. Background Image, Navigation data etc.,    & text data) chart is created by means of a Text Image Compiler    Software (23) which overlays the De-cluttered Textural Descriptive    Data (22) onto the Background Image (21) which contains the Navdata    as well. It should be noted that one embodiment may include a    process wherein said element comprise a data base of rasterized    charts consisting of pre-defined scales and chart features and a    data base of routes consisting of pre-defined waypoint.-   5. The final step applies JPG compression by means of the Cached    Image Generator and JPEG compression software (25) to the Composite    Image (24) and adds these compressed files to the Cached Image    (charts) files library. Depending on the required chart size and    magnification, such image compression and sizing is accomplished,    prior to submitting the image to the Client computer. Steps one (1)    through (5) are repeated for each magnification level and    geographical area and for each chart type (VFR, IFR, Road Chart).

In keeping with one of the important primary objects of the invention,the chart library does not need to reside on Client computer memory. Asa consequence, the Client must request charts as needed for display andflight planning. These charts typically cover the area over which theplanned flight is contemplated. In order to keep the Internet flightplanning interactive and responsive, the Server—Client communicationstime must be minimized. Initially (e.g. when the system is first put online), it is very unlikely that the Client's requested charts exist in aform required for distribution by the Server. That is, in that therequested charts have been compressed and prepared in a pre-cached filelibrary (e.g. pre-cached files are those which have previously beenprocessed in such a manner as to make them immediately available fordistribution to the Client computer). Thus, in this invention, asoftware system (26) generates, upon analysis by the Server Computer(2), on an as-required basis, a number of pre-cached files which meetthe Client's chart magnification and geographical area requirements eachtime the Client requests a chart. Since the Server requires some finiteamount of time to process the requested pre-cached charts, it isbeneficial to accomplish this processing only once for any anticipatedpre-cached chart. Furthermore, allowing the system to create apre-cached chart for all possible combinations of magnifications andgeographical areas, would create a very large, if not, unlimited numberof pre-cached files. And as a result, place an undue burden on theServer's memory requirements. In the preferred embodiment, and giventhese constrains, the Server—Client interaction in terms of chartsrequests is accomplished utilizing these steps:

-   1) Turning now to FIG. 3. The software system previously described    compiles the desired charts requested by the Client computer into a    pre-cached library (26) residing on hard disk memory. When the    Client computer (4) requests a chart, it sends the Client's computer    display screen's (27) anchor X, Y coordinates (e.g. usually the    upper left most coordinate where X=0 and Y=0), the screen's width in    terms of pixels (e.g. a pixel is one computer display element    comprising an RGB attribute in 24 bit depth) and the screen's height    in terms of pixels.-   2) The Cached Image and JPEG Compression Software (25) analyzes the    request and determines whether or not the requested chart is    contained in the pre-cached chart library (26). If the pre-cached    file exists, it sends it to the Client (4). If the pre-cached file    does not exist, it builds the requested chart from the finished    chart database by creating a pre-cached file wherein the rounded    down value is the incremental value of X=the nearest tile width/4,    and the rounded down value is the incremental value of Y=the nearest    tile width/4. This ensures that there is only a finite number of    pre-cached files. Then, after the new file has been processed, it is    compressed using the JPEG format and sent to the pre-cached library    (26) and to the Client computer for display and further flight    planning manipulation.

Having observed the details of the chart creation and chart distributionby the Client computer, attention may now be given to the interactionthe user has with the chart by means of the Client computer. As notedpreviously, Internet flight planners of prior art are static and do notallow for dynamic chart manipulation. For example, if a chart is loadedonto the Client's computer, it is only viewable. The chart can not bescrolled nor can it be magnified. If a new chart is desired, the Clientcomputer has to request this. Once requested, the screen is totallyrefreshed and a new chart is drawn. A major undesirable side effect ofthis process is that the user looses his reference and confusion isadded to the planning process. It is also desirable to be able tooverlay route lines, waypoints, weather and other features over theflight planning chart. Internet flight planners of prior art do notallow this since they have not made provision to identify and isolatethe route line or other chart features by means of a mouse or otherinput device. Thus, on Internet flight planners of prior art the routemust be generated and built on the Server. Then once built and combinedas a new image the Server must upload the image onto the Clientcomputer. This forces the screen to be totally refreshed, which againproduces the undesirable side effect of the user loosing his referenceand adding confusion to the planning process.

Now observing FIG. 3, and in accordance with an important aspect (one ofthe main features) of the invention these shortcomings are overcome bymeans of:

-   1) A Chart Scrolling software system (28), residing on an Internet    Server hard disk (8), which facilitates chart scrolling and chart    viewing without refreshing the entire Client computer display (27).    Pursuant to the invention, the loaded chart (29) is always larger    (e.g. the absolute X, Y, pixel dimension) than the assigned chart    window area (30) residing on the Client Display (28). This provides    two very important benefits. First, it allows the Client's browser    to turn on the scroll bars, and second, as a result, the chart may    be scrolled up to the limit of the underlying loaded chart,-   2) In the preferred embodiment, if the chart scrolling results in    moving past an area beyond the bounds of a previously loaded chart,    a window pops up and informs the user that a new chart segment is    being loaded. During this loading process, the previously loaded    chart remains on screen (e.g. the user is able to view the remaining    chart without loosing his reference). A new cached chart is then    delivered to the Client corresponding to the newly desired chart    area and/or magnification. The effect of this process is such that    the user views the new chart segment as though it where seamlessly    merged with the original chart.

Having observed the details of the chart scrolling, attention may now begiven to the process by which routes, waypoints and other features areoverlaid on the flight planning chart. In the preferred embodiment thiscapability is provided by means of:

-   1) A process consisting of a software system (31) which computes the    steps of overlaying routes and waypoints and other polygons. A    limitation of the existing art is that current HTML technology does    not provide for vectored lines to be drawn over an existing image on    a Client computer. The required technology however, is to use an XML    extension. These extensions provide for several vector XML plug-ins    for the Internet browser. In the preferred embodiment VML technology    from Microsoft is employed.-   2) To accomplish the requirements of drawing vectored lines and    features on a chart on the Client computer, a software system    residing on the Server (1) generates an Internet Web site (32) with    n number of web pages (33). One of these Internet web pages (34) is    uploaded from the Server (1) to the Client (4) and in this    invention, is designed to incorporate three frames. These three    frames are contained in one parent frame (35), this allows the    scrolling of the Background chart image and route to remain    synchronized while only one frame is visible to the Client user, the    other two frames provide important functions. In the preferred    embodiment, the background frame (36) contains the viewable chart    (e.g. the frame is visible). The foreground frame (37) is    transparent except for the route line (38) and or waypoints features    to be overlaid on the chart background frame (36). Frame (39) is the    housekeeping frame. This frame directs what features are to be drawn    on the transparent frame (37). Following the preferred procedure,    when a mouse click is detected on the chart, the X, Y coordinates of    this mouse click are sent to frame (39). This frame (39) then    updates with the new X, Y, coordinates. If the mouse click falls    coincident with a waypoint from the data waypoint database (e.g. the    X, Y, coordinates corresponding to a Geo-referenced latitude and    longitude navigation data element), this waypoint will be selected,    or else a new user waypoint will be created. Given this information,    frame (39) then instructs frame (37) from which starting X, Y    coordinates to which ending X, Y coordinates to draw the route line    on frame (37). Finally, frame (39) updates the route list with the    new waypoint (e.g. a column of waypoints in flight plan order,    usually shown on the left side of the flight planning window). This    process is repeated for a plurality of route line segments and    waypoint selected. It should be noted that these frames are not    exclusive. Other frames, such as the route profile window are also    incorporated.

An another embodiment of this invention includes a process comprising ofthe step(s) of computing by means of a software systems a cross sectionof the flight plan and displaying same in a profile window in which theroute is displayed relative to terrain elevation, obstruction elevation,airspace, weather and flight altitude.

An another embodiment of this invention includes a process comprising ofthe step(s) of prompting and managing the required flight planningparameters by means of an Internet web site software which resides onthe Server such flight planning variables inputted and requested by theremote computer. A further step in this embodiment includes the steps(s)of computing by means of a software system the computed flight plansrequested using the Internet web site remote computer.

An another embodiment of this invention includes a process comprising ofthe step(s) of filing flight plans by means of a software system throughthe use of the Internet web site Client computer and the steps ofprinting reports by means of a software system through the use of theInternet web site Client computer.

An another embodiment of this invention includes a process comprising ofthe step(s) of facilitating navigation data entry and editing by meansof a software system of the Internet web site remote computer andfurther facilitating the entry and editing by means of a softwaresystem, aircraft performance data editing through the use of theInternet web site Client computer.

An another embodiment of this invention includes a process comprising ofthe process wherein said step provides for overlay of graphical weatherand textural data over the VFR, IFR, or Road chart along with the routeline and waypoints on the Internet web site Client computer.

An another embodiment of this invention includes a process comprising ofthe step(s) includes the process by which route waypoints are selectedbased on topographical, navigational, weather, geopolitical, airspace,and aircraft performance constrains.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A process of providing an aviation navigation chart over a computer network comprising: receiving a request by a server computer from a client computer, the client computer in communication with the server computer via the computer network, the request received over the computer network, the request including an indication of a departure point and a destination point selected by a user of the client computer; generating, at the server computer, a composite travel navigation chart in response to the request, the composite travel navigation chart including a travel chart image with the departure point and the destination point and a route line extending between the departure point and the destination point; and delivering the composite travel navigation chart from the server computer to the client computer for display by the client computer.
 2. The process of claim 1, further comprising storing, at the server computer, a plurality of travel chart images of geographic areas, and wherein the request includes an indication of one of the plurality of travel chart images that includes the departure point and the destination point.
 3. The process of claim 2, wherein storing the plurality of travel chart images of geographic areas includes storing, at the server computer, the plurality of travel chart images of geographic areas at a plurality of magnifications, and wherein the request includes a selection of one of the travel chart images at a selected magnification.
 4. The process of claim 1, wherein the request includes an indication of at least one waypoint, and wherein generating the composite travel navigation chart includes generating, by the server computer, the composite travel navigation chart to include the travel chart image with the departure point, the destination point, the at least one waypoint, and the route line extending between the departure point, the at least one waypoint, and the destination point.
 5. The process of claim 4, wherein the plurality of travel waypoints includes radio navigation aids.
 6. The process of claim 1, wherein generating the composite travel navigation chart includes overlaying, at the server computer, the route line on the travel chart image.
 7. The process of claim 1, further comprising compressing the composite travel navigation chart to form a compressed composite travel navigation chart, and wherein delivering the composite travel navigation chart includes delivering the compressed composite travel navigation chart.
 8. The process of claim 1, wherein receiving the request includes receiving the request at the server computer from a user operating a browser on the client computer, and wherein delivering the composite travel navigation chart includes delivering the composite travel navigation chart to the browser on the client computer.
 9. The process of claim 1, wherein generating the composite travel navigation chart further comprises overlaying weather information on the composite travel navigation chart.
 10. The process of claim 1, wherein generating the composite travel navigation chart includes detecting collision of a first text and a second text in the composite travel navigation chart, and moving at least one of the first text and the second text relative to the other in the composite travel navigation chart to avoid the collision of the first text and the second text.
 11. The process of claim 1, wherein receiving the request includes receiving a request, from a user of the client computer, that the travel chart image be shown in elevational profile view.
 12. The process of claim 1, further comprising determining, by the server computer, whether the travel chart image is contained within a pre-cached chart library, and wherein generating the composite travel navigation chart includes generating the composite travel navigation chart using a pre-cached chart when the server computer determines that travel chart image is contained within the pre-cached chart library.
 13. The process of claim 1, wherein generating the composite travel navigation chart includes overlaying, by the server computer, a first frame that contains the travel chart image with a second frame that includes the route line.
 14. The process of claim 13, wherein generating the composite travel navigation chart includes overlaying the first frame with the second frame and a housekeeping frame that dictates features to be included on the second frame.
 15. The process of claim 1, further comprising delivering the composite travel navigation chart from the server computer to a travel regulating agency as part of a flight plan submission. 